Me too. Currently with the Yonex Xi 100 and PD 2012. Both nice but I suspect there could be a better option out there. My picks would be the Pacific X-feel Tour (pretty unique specs for a tweener) and the PK Ki5 295 (Euro version but the Q5 295 would be close). If you have easy access to a demo I would be interested to have your thoughts. Demoing is a PITA in the UK.

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Jim, should you pursue that 'better option' you know where to send that Xi 100 and Black Drive.

Jim, should you pursue that 'better option' you know where to send that Xi 100 and Black Drive.

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Might take you up on that Ross. for the Xi at any rate. Played with both last night and the PD performed better but still that nagging stiffness. The Xi is way more comfortable but not the predictable response of the PD. Suspect the Xi will play much better with a poly in it. PM me if interested.

Well, let's see how I'm liking this older PD first. I'm also paying close attention to what my arm is telling me soreness-wise. Anyhow, I'm guessing the PD Team and 2012 PD share enough traits for me to get a good idea.

I'll say at this stage though, despite some undoubted cons, the PD does seem to address two of my slight quibbles re the APD, namely it provides more serve heat (and I really enjoyed this aspect yesterday), and it swung a bit easier and faster, I felt my maneuverability was slightly better.

On the down-side, it doesn't keep up with the APD/O in terms of basic b-line blasting (or not of the high trajectory, spinny, arching variety), somehow APD/O appears more effortlessly oomphy from the backcourt! The APD/O is nicer feel and flex-wise. Seems more solid slightly (PD did seem a tad weaker somehow).

And on a note of vanity, a negative for me re any possible prolonged usage of the PD would be the prospect of looking like every other Joe Shmoe out there with their PDs... on the the adjoining 2 courts next to us yesterday, there were other 2 PD users. Irrelevant ultimately, I know, but at least when you wield an APD Original, it's a bit more, er... original.

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Ross, the 2012 version of the PD addresses the areas in which you feel yours is lacking. The overall feel for me is firm & solid. Whatever dampening tech they have put in it seems to work. What I like about it is its versatility. You can hit spin from the baseline effectively and also serve/volley with it. I have mine set up with 5g at the top of the handle and 4g at 3/9. Just hits a very solid ball. Stringing it tonight with Polystar Energy which I hope will be perfect for the PD.

guys, I think I have to switch sticks again... =/. It's more of a pondering altercation to my game.

The RDiS200 is a great stick, but due to my left wrist, I am unable to hit my 2hbh without painful repercussions. I have switched to an 1hbh and can hit rally shots, but can't seem to hit as precise as I need to be for match play (even 3.5 matchplay).

I borrowed a friend's K90 and it automatically clicked with all my shots. It takes a little spin off my serves and I was punished for mishits more often, but the level of potential playability a solid mid provided me just completely outshined the RDiS200. I've always been a fan of players sticks, but the RDiS200 really changed my game. It allowed me to swing a bit quicker for defensive shots and actually won me a set 6-1 due to how much it let me grind out points. Though mids tend to let me have more depth and directional control, as well as the weight to hit a nice enough angle or power shot to get me a winner or into a neutral rally.

I'm back into the mindset that maybe this racket isn't quite what I needed after all...

A good friend told me he used to be afraid of my shots when he came in at net. Now that i've switched, I can't quite invoke the same fear as when I was using mids/95s. Unless I switch to a hard topspin game like the rest of the world, I can't see me being as successful with this racket as a mid. I think its just self doubt, slumps, and lack of adaptation that may be adding up here, but that one day with the K90 was either a sign or a honeymoon phase.

I miss mids. I love the spin, the comfort, and the FORGIVENESS of the RDiS200, but does it really work for me?

I'm going to spend more time trying to groove with the RDiS200, but this doubt is going to bug me for a bit...

EDIT: I'm going to be messing with my closet sticks now... I wish i hadn't sold my Diablo Mids (T~T)

sans - Yes, it's funny, isn't it. I know exactly what you mean, but I'm in the reverse situation to you. By which I mean that if I'm not topspin b-line blasting (yes, like the rest of the world) in the proscribed manner, I'm moving away from my strengths. When it starts getting too all-court, I'm out of my comfort zone and my game begins to get stretched.

Sans it's not the racquet. You have to stick with something and get better. I can about guarantee your timing is bad right now. The k90 won't help your game and you will probably struggle mightily post honeymoon.

guys, I think I have to switch sticks again... =/. It's more of a pondering altercation to my game.

The RDiS200 is a great stick, but due to my left wrist, I am unable to hit my 2hbh without painful repercussions. I have switched to an 1hbh and can hit rally shots, but can't seem to hit as precise as I need to be for match play (even 3.5 matchplay).

I borrowed a friend's K90 and it automatically clicked with all my shots. It takes a little spin off my serves and I was punished for mishits more often, but the level of potential playability a solid mid provided me just completely outshined the RDiS200. I've always been a fan of players sticks, but the RDiS200 really changed my game. It allowed me to swing a bit quicker for defensive shots and actually won me a set 6-1 due to how much it let me grind out points. Though mids tend to let me have more depth and directional control, as well as the weight to hit a nice enough angle or power shot to get me a winner or into a neutral rally.

I'm back into the mindset that maybe this racket isn't quite what I needed after all...

A good friend told me he used to be afraid of my shots when he came in at net. Now that i've switched, I can't quite invoke the same fear as when I was using mids/95s. Unless I switch to a hard topspin game like the rest of the world, I can't see me being as successful with this racket as a mid. I think its just self doubt, slumps, and lack of adaptation that may be adding up here, but that one day with the K90 was either a sign or a honeymoon phase.

I miss mids. I love the spin, the comfort, and the FORGIVENESS of the RDiS200, but does it really work for me?

I'm going to spend more time trying to groove with the RDiS200, but this doubt is going to bug me for a bit...

EDIT: I'm going to be messing with my closet sticks now... I wish i hadn't sold my Diablo Mids (T~T)

gator - yes I read that thread with avid interest (and checked the vids on youtube) and also took note of his stock Blade 98... absolute proof you don't need pro-stock this and TGK-PT-238.5-bla-bla that, and convoluted mod set ups etc - this kid won Wimbledon Juniors final for crying out loud (beating our very own great prospect for the future, Liam Broady)! So good to have someone of his calibre making threads on TT.

SIAP, but has anyone seen the thread where the tennis pro from Cananda is posting?

He made all 4 jr slams and won Wimbledon and US open.

What I found amazing is he uses a stock Blade 98. It's about 11.2 oz strung. More proof to use what YOU play best with.

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You know, I played a stock Blade 98 for awhile before I felt like I needed something with more stability and then came across this forum. That was the end of me. Still wonder if I could have made that frame work for me with just lead tweaks or something, and if I should have just stuck with it as I truly loved that frame in all areas except for volleys. It just died at the net, but from the back and on serve, loved it. People say Raonic still plays with a retail KBlade 98 as well. Surely it's tweaked with lead and such, but still interesting.

Blade 98 was weird for me, it had so much crazy power, swung like a feather, but felt as stiff as board with MCS @ 52lbs which amazed me. Just a really odd hit, the flex sensation in it was amazing though, the ball feel was so cool!

Yeah so the blade is pretty stiff eh? But then you are saying there is flex..interesting.

I have a Pro Open I am going to try and trade in to TW so Im curious to maybe get an 18x20 or a pro staff 95 since I have 3 Rdis 200s already.

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Well it's a really weird response! For me the Blade stringbed felt stiff, but on it's almost like the throat flexed an INSANE amount. You can literally feel the frame bend and throw the ball back, it's just that the bed itself strung up really really board like.

Not sure if it was just me, but it's a super interesting feeling frame. The power that I was able to generate on serves was immense.

Well it is a very respected and highly used frame. It also gets a lot of spin for a tight pattern. Id love to get a gads comparison between it and the ps95 since they are both fairly flexy by the numbers.

Well it is a very respected and highly used frame. It also gets a lot of spin for a tight pattern. Id love to get a gads comparison between it and the ps95 since they are both fairly flexy by the numbers.

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Definitely! If it was an open pattern I'd be all over it, given I had enough time to adjust to the feel. I've been using the Youtek Rad Pro's at a really weird spec lately and it's just an ultra comfy ride for me.

First time in what??.!.... 7+months?? That I served all out, 100% today..felt great... and with which frame?!??..... THE Prestige Mid (Mg version). Actually didn't play half bad with it, considering my opponent. Really miss this one. I got some demo's on the way though.

You know, I played a stock Blade 98 for awhile before I felt like I needed something with more stability and then came across this forum. That was the end of me. Still wonder if I could have made that frame work for me with just lead tweaks or something, and if I should have just stuck with it as I truly loved that frame in all areas except for volleys. It just died at the net, but from the back and on serve, loved it. People say Raonic still plays with a retail KBlade 98 as well. Surely it's tweaked with lead and such, but still interesting.

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If that stock blade98 was the kfactor then you could definitely make it work again.

klementine79, I'm definitely a closet racketaholic but I'm coming off a 10 month hiatus due to injury and I would strongly suggest you choose one frame and stick with it till fully confident in your game....then go on a racketaholic binge

That new Blade 98 has a nice SW to it. I bet it hits a rather heavy ball even in stock weight.

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The blx blade I demoed swung like a log. Felt like there was SOOO much weight in the head, it was a no-go early on. Of course, the rub is that Wilson quality control being what it is, you never know if what I had was the norm, but I read some other people who thought the same. I could get a Prestige Mid around so much quicker than that particular Blade.

Well it is a very respected and highly used frame. It also gets a lot of spin for a tight pattern. Id love to get a gads comparison between it and the ps95 since they are both fairly flexy by the numbers.

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Been so long now since I've hit with the KBlade, would be interesting to go back to it and see how I'd hit with it comparing to the new frames I've now replaced it with in my bag. Vs. the Pro Staff 95, KBlade is much stiffer/crisper, but I never found the Blade to be quite as rigid or hollow as Bab tweeners, but still, more on the stiff side rather than soft, which is where the PS 95 resides. Blade 98 has more plow and a lower trajectory, but still with a LOT of spin when you want to spin it... That's why an open-pattern Blade doesn't get me so excited, because I felt like the K98 gave me all the spin I wanted... Serves - both pummel serves. Volleys, PS 95 definitely more stable at net with a little more feel.

klementine79, I'm definitely a closet racketaholic but I'm coming off a 10 month hiatus due to injury and I would strongly suggest you choose one frame and stick with it till fully confident in your game....then go on a racketaholic binge

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HahahaHaha.....

Yeah, thanks for the encouragement :smile: Thing is I wasn't fully confident in my before the injury... so x+y does not = xy in my case.

I hear you though. Just one more round of demos... then back to the old trusty exo3Tour.

Sans it's not the racquet. You have to stick with something and get better. I can about guarantee your timing is bad right now. The k90 won't help your game and you will probably struggle mightily post honeymoon.

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Yeah... With the RDiS I feel like I can't quite achieve the shots i can with a mid on command quite yet. But i've been playing pretty well with mids for a while. It was what Ive always played with. It was an affair with my old lover.

When the x10 arrived I had a few swings and thought no, this thing had a very uniform swing, the head is not very heavy, might be a bit thick, its not gonna rival the c10 is it?
Hitting against the wall there's an obvious stiffer feel and the hoop feels very stable. Doesn't have that sink into the strings dwell feeling I like but nevertheless it does retain that pleasurable volkl feel.
String it up with tour bite a few lbs lower to aid dwell @ 50lbs and added 8g to the top of hoop and 8g top of handle. Its now 356g and 5pts hl, its lighter than my c10s but loses nothing for it. The balance is a couple of points head heavy than I normally play but again this feels just right. Plays amazingly well, more dwell, heavy head now lags behind how I like it, loads of controllable power. A little less cute on volleys which is probably a good thing for me. Easy to switch between sticks also. Decisions tho.....

I got this Organix10 coming in today for demo (along with three other frames). I'll keep the string tension vs. dwell time in mind when demo'ng as it's sure to have some old syn.gut at 2lbs. above mid tension.

Yeah... With the RDiS I feel like I can't quite achieve the shots i can with a mid on command quite yet. But i've been playing pretty well with mids for a while. It was what Ive always played with. It was an affair with my old lover.

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empathize with u about mids. me keeps the 4D100 in the bag whilst adjusting to the yy200. being an old and slow now, do like the bump in power the yy200 offers but the fh still needs adjustment. just don't have the pinpoint/penetrating shots the 4D100 produced. oh well it's about trade offs anyway.

OK, here's a curveball. Any of you holics ever try the K-Blade ... Team?

Just saw in another thread that VsBabolat and others are saying that Serena actually uses a Blade Team, so I looked the frame up out of curiosity and really find the specs of the KFactor version to be so, so interesting, almost pro-stock-ish: just 10.7 strung but 4 points HL, a nice 320 swingweight, a very nice 57 stiffness and it's 27.3 inches long. 104 square inches, but an 18/19 string pattern to keep the spin and control under control? Seems like since the swingweight is already there, main mods would just be to add weight at the handle to weight it up to your preference. Anyone ever try this thing? The flex almost makes it seem like a potential Ross stick, as he's always searched for his big hitting Tweener With Feel.

Yeah, I feel like the attraction to that frame is that you wouldn't need to flirt so much with lead in the hoop, which just drives me nuts sometimes. Much much easier to just go with heavier grips/overgrips and if needed, a strip or three of lead beneath the grip if anything. The BLX version comes in with a super light swingweight, so you'd probably go nuts trying to tweak it up top just right to get any real oomph. .. too bad I totally ignored this frame back when I use to see it at big box stores and such for cheap. Seems like a great trial frame, if in fact it feels like those specs indicate. I love the 18/19 pattern and the 27.3 length is great -- extended but not too much.

Yeah, I feel like the attraction to that frame is that you wouldn't need to flirt so much with lead in the hoop, which just drives me nuts sometimes. Much much easier to just go with heavier grips/overgrips and if needed, a strip or three of lead beneath the grip if anything. The BLX version comes in with a super light swingweight, so you'd probably go nuts trying to tweak it up top just right to get any real oomph. .. too bad I totally ignored this frame back when I use to see it at big box stores and such for cheap. Seems like a great trial frame, if in fact it feels like those specs indicate. I love the 18/19 pattern and the 27.3 length is great -- extended but not too much.

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^ I have that 'big-box' racquet guilt when it come to the nBlade98. :cry:

It was everywhere I turned for $79.99................. then one day.. gone.

OK, here's a curveball. Any of you holics ever try the K-Blade ... Team?

Just saw in another thread that VsBabolat and others are saying that Serena actually uses a Blade Team, so I looked the frame up out of curiosity and really find the specs of the KFactor version to be so, so interesting, almost pro-stock-ish: just 10.7 strung but 4 points HL, a nice 320 swingweight, a very nice 57 stiffness and it's 27.3 inches long. 104 square inches, but an 18/19 string pattern to keep the spin and control under control? Seems like since the swingweight is already there, main mods would just be to add weight at the handle to weight it up to your preference. Anyone ever try this thing? The flex almost makes it seem like a potential Ross stick, as he's always searched for his big hitting Tweener With Feel.

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Gads,

I find this quite intriguing. Haven't read the VS thread yet but will read up on it shortly. Sounds like a definite one to to take a look at for one of us intrepid racketaholics.

All,

Frame thoughts please on the K Pro Open.

As the BLX Pro Open gets recommended to me frequently, and as I may be able to get hold of one to investigate, just wondering if the K version is highly similar to the present one... the present one has received a lot of praise of course and, much as I'm presently doing with an old PD Team (looking at one with one as a guide to assessing if the PD 2012 may be up my street), I suppose I could check it out. Actually, in light of our wholly inadequate demoing system here in England, though obviously it's more a kind of rough or ball-park way of assessing a racket, this method of buying up older versions of present lines as a pointer to gauging if the new lines may be worthy of pursuing is becoming my new modus operandi.:wink:

Anyone have any thoughts or recollections on the K version? How is it up against the present BLX Pro Open? Vastly inferior?

You know, I played a stock Blade 98 for awhile before I felt like I needed something with more stability and then came across this forum. That was the end of me. Still wonder if I could have made that frame work for me with just lead tweaks or something, and if I should have just stuck with it as I truly loved that frame in all areas except for volleys. It just died at the net, but from the back and on serve, loved it. People say Raonic still plays with a retail KBlade 98 as well. Surely it's tweaked with lead and such, but still interesting.

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Same sort of thing for me. I played the Npro open when I found this forum. I read about all the benefits of heavier frames and began experimenting with lead tape and heavier frames. After going back and forth between heavy and light I finally settled on a stock PDR.

When I read about that kid from Canada getting to 550 in the world with a light frame I started second guessing myself a little. After all I only play twice a week, I have modern strokes with a spinny forehand, etc, etc. but...

I already have 3 PDR s and won't be changing again. Every time I switch frames the adjustment period causes me to miss a few crucial shots in a match. Plus I do now believe in the benefits of heavier frames. Of course some frames will hit some shots better than others, but overall I believe the benefits out way the negatives.

Still amazes me this kid was returning serves and by his own admission more than holding his own off the ground against Raonic with that racket.

OK, here's a curveball. Any of you holics ever try the K-Blade ... Team?

Just saw in another thread that VsBabolat and others are saying that Serena actually uses a Blade Team, so I looked the frame up out of curiosity and really find the specs of the KFactor version to be so, so interesting, almost pro-stock-ish: just 10.7 strung but 4 points HL, a nice 320 swingweight, a very nice 57 stiffness and it's 27.3 inches long. 104 square inches, but an 18/19 string pattern to keep the spin and control under control? Seems like since the swingweight is already there, main mods would just be to add weight at the handle to weight it up to your preference. Anyone ever try this thing? The flex almost makes it seem like a potential Ross stick, as he's always searched for his big hitting Tweener With Feel.

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Yep, I've always been curious about that one too, for all the reasons you mention. The TWU numbers are very strong for it too - good power, huge sweetspot and all that with a very flexy body. The 18x19 string pattern in that headshape and size is close to ideal for spin + control, in my opinion: lots of mains so you get a consistent number of mains in contact with the ball on each shot (control), and relatively few cross strings, which allows the mains to slide and snapback with gusto (spin). Too bad it's fugly. The new B&W BLX version is pretty nice looking (but for the uber-tacky gold highlights), but they added the power holios, which TW's playtesters didn't care for in the feel department.

OK, here's a curveball. Any of you holics ever try the K-Blade ... Team?

Just saw in another thread that VsBabolat and others are saying that Serena actually uses a Blade Team, so I looked the frame up out of curiosity and really find the specs of the KFactor version to be so, so interesting, almost pro-stock-ish: just 10.7 strung but 4 points HL, a nice 320 swingweight, a very nice 57 stiffness and it's 27.3 inches long. 104 square inches, but an 18/19 string pattern to keep the spin and control under control? Seems like since the swingweight is already there, main mods would just be to add weight at the handle to weight it up to your preference. Anyone ever try this thing? The flex almost makes it seem like a potential Ross stick, as he's always searched for his big hitting Tweener With Feel.

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Another larger-headed, lightweight but flexy racquet that's interesting is the Donnay X-P Dual (Which TW calls X-P Dual Black: http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Donnay_X-P_Dual_Black_102/descpageRCDONNAY-XPDB.html), the frame that Courier and Agassi now use. I'm surprised TW has not made an effort to promote this stick after Agassi switched to it following a (supposed) long blind playtest of many sticks. A review seems in order.

Hit with bad call and demoed the Wilson blx blade 98. I love this stick. It was strung up too tight at 58#s for me though, but serving was awesome.

I will definitely try the new 16x19 version when it comes out. Don't think tighter pattern works for my game. But the 98 is definitely a great option if you are looking to go a little lighter. I think I would play it stock as it hits real big.

Still not sure if it is better than the yonex 200 though, but I think the new one will be demoed by me for sure.

As the BLX Pro Open gets recommended to me frequently, and as I may be able to get hold of one to investigate, just wondering if the K version is highly similar to the present one... the present one has received a lot of praise of course and, much as I'm presently doing with an old PD Team (looking at one with one as a guide to assessing if the PD 2012 may be up my street), I suppose I could check it out. Actually, in light of our wholly inadequate demoing system here in England, though obviously it's more a kind of rough or ball-park way of assessing a racket, this method of buying up older versions of present lines as a pointer to gauging if the new lines may be worthy of pursuing is becoming my new modus operandi.:wink:

Anyone have any thoughts or recollections on the K version? How is it up against the present BLX Pro Open? Vastly inferior?

I cant see how that stick would be much different or better than what you currently have to be honest. I actually did demo it now that i remember..i had an apdc at the time..pretty rough pj and nothing really special. The blx version is a lot better imo, but it still is not going to be much different from the apd.

Hit with bad call and demoed the Wilson blx blade 98. I love this stick. It was strung up too tight at 58#s for me though, but serving was awesome.

I will definitely try the new 16x19 version when it comes out. Don't think tighter pattern works for my game. But the 98 is definitely a great option if you are looking to go a little lighter. I think I would play it stock as it hits real big.

Still not sure if it is better than the yonex 200 though, but I think the new one will be demoed by me for sure.

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let me know if u need to make room in your bag for blade 98. think i could find a home for one of those nasty, scuffed yy200s.

btw - hitting with the full polybreak has me ready to go full poly in the yy200.